Reus admits that the news could not have come at a worse time for Dortmund bus has urged fans to get behind Gotze in a key part of the season.

"Today is THE game," the former Borussia Monchengladbach man wrote on his Facebook page.

"We're looking forward to Real Madrid and we want to reach the Champions League final. Nothing will distract us from our goal - not even the news which everyone in Germany has been talking about.

"Mario has made a decision for his future. We have to respect that. The timing of the announcement was certainly stupid and unfortunate. But no one should believe that Mario is responsible for that.

"I think that some of the comments about Mario which I heard or read on Facebook are below the belt. He doesn't deserve that. He has a lot to thank you and Dortmund for, but BVB also owe him. Let's not forget that.

"Please, let's look forward and celebrate a great night of football together - including Mario of course!"

Another BVB star linked with a controversial move to Bayern is Mats Hummels, whose father and advisor Hermann has moved to quash rumours.

"There's nothing to it," he told Express. "My son has a contract with Dortmund until 2017."

Hummels started his career at Bayern but joined BVB on a permanent basis in 2009 after a successful loan spell.